US 7,244,089 B2 · Device for removing metallic objects from a railway bed

Abstract

A machine which travels on railroad rails includes a conveyor belt which transports metallic objects from a railway bed into a hopper. The conveyor belt revolves around a pair of rollers mounted on the framework of a conveyor belt assembly. One roller magnetically picks up the metallic objects and a hydraulic motor powers the other roller to drive the conveyor belt. The magnetized roller is mounted via two mounting bearings which slidably engage the assembly. An adjustment bolt on the assembly engages the mounting bearing to move the magnetized roller to adjust conveyor belt tension to facilitate replacement of the belt. A lift beside the assembly raises and lowers one end of the assembly which rotates about a pivot tube within the conveyor belt. The lift, pivot tube and hydraulic lines connected to the motor are all situated to allow the belt to be removed without interference therefrom.

Claims33

Dependent claims

An apparatus for removing metallic objects from a railway bed having railroad tracks, the apparatus comprising:

a car adapted to travel on the railroad tracks;
a container mounted on the car;
at least one conveyor belt forming a closed loop;
the at least one conveyor belt adapted to transport the metallic objects from adjacent the railway bed to the container;
at least one conveyor belt assembly on which the at least one conveyor belt is revolvably mounted;
the at least one conveyor belt assembly having first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed sides each extending between the first and second ends;
and
a lift for moving the first end of the at least one conveyor belt assembly between a raised position and a lowered position adjacent the railway bed;
the lift being disposed on the first side of the at least one conveyor belt assembly whereby the lift does not interfere with removal of the at least one conveyor belt from the second side of the at least one conveyor belt assembly;
the at least one conveyor belt being removable while maintaining continuity of the at least one conveyor belt loop.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for removing metallic objects from a railway bed

Life of this patent

Device for removing metallic objects from a railway bed

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33